Norwegian oil and gas company DNO has made a significant gas condensate discovery on the Norma prospect in the Norwegian North Sea. Preliminary assessments suggest a considerable resource potential, ranging from 25 million to 130 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) with an estimated mean of 70 MMboe. This discovery was found within a Jurassic reservoir zone characterized by high-quality sandstones.

Situated in license PL984, where DNO holds a 30% operated interest, the Norma discovery is strategically located, lying 20 kilometers northwest of the Balder hub and 30 kilometers south of the Alvheim hub. Importantly, this region boasts extensive infrastructure in the central part of the North Sea, providing various tie-back options for potential commercialization.

Notably, within the same license, DNO has also identified additional exploration prospects, which have been significantly de-risked by the success at Norma.

This discovery is a pivotal development in DNO's offshore Norway exploration strategy, building on the momentum created by six discoveries in the Troll-Gjøa area since 2021, including Carmen, Heisenberg, and Røver Sør, which were made earlier this year.

The Norma prospect represents a significant milestone for DNO, as it marks the company's first operated high-pressure, high-temperature exploration well. The drilling reached a vertical depth of 4,800 meters, encountering a 16-meter hydrocarbon column in a 20-meter gross reservoir section consisting of Jurassic sandstones. Several gas condensate samples were collected, along with a water sample. Additionally, a bypass core measuring 33.7 meters was secured, and an extensive data and sampling program was carried out.

This discovery is seen as a play-opener for the deep turbiditic sands in the area, thanks to the exceptionally good reservoir quality encountered. DNO plans to further assess the discovery's potential and delineate its extent. Before commencing further appraisal drilling, the company will improve seismic imaging and remap the area to pinpoint the optimal location for the next well.

The Norma well is expected to conclude 15 days ahead of schedule and under budget, despite the additional extensive data collection protocols. Plug and abandonment operations have commenced.

DNO obtained its interest in PL984 in 2019 through its subsidiary, DNO Norge AS. The other partners in the license include Source Energy AS, Equinor Energy AS, Vår Energi ASA (each with a 20% interest), and Aker BP ASA (10% interest).

The Deepsea Yantai offshore drilling rig, responsible for the Norma discovery, will move on to appraise the 2022 Ofelia discovery, in which DNO holds a 10% interest.